Disaster Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness -- It is Everybody's Business
Emergency preparedness means being ready for any kind of unexpected event, from a water main break or a power outage lasting for several hours to a major transportation incident, epidemic, catastrophic storm or terror attack.  When an emergency strikes, it’s crucial to have plans already in place. Our first responders need to know how to work together and share their resources to ensure our safety.   See details of preparedness and response for  disasters most common to our region plus other local, state, and nationwide information from on-line organizations that provide daily news to the public.

The National Conference on Volunteering is convened annually by Points of Light in which Disaster Preparedness is but one topic addressed by volunteers from all parts of the United States and Canada.  The above links provide a wealth of information for national volunteering in all areas as well as specific coverage of Disaster Preparedness and Response by this National Conference.  Good & Ready, also part of the large Points of Light organization,  has everything you need to create a plan, build a kit and help your family and community be more prepared.   The Good & Ready website has amazing resources available to your family to get ready for hurricanes and other disasters that might occur in your community. Also, visit Good & Ready's partner organizations:  the Red Cross, FLASH and Ready.gov for additional resources relating to emergency response. We all know that the more we're prepared to face a difficult situation, the less anxious we become.  In the event of a major storm or other incident, emergency responders may not be able to reach individual homes for two or three days. At a minimum, each household needs to be able to provide light, water and communications with the outside for the crucial first 72 hours.

Community Members
The Anne Arundel County Volunteer Center will be scheduling Disaster Preparedness and Response orientations .  If you are interested in learning more about ways to get involved before disaster strikes, we can notify you when the next orientation is scheduled.  The Volunteer Center can refer you to organizations that train volunteers to meet the needs of the community in a disaster or emergency situation. If you already have a skill that you'd like to share with our community in a disaster or emergency, contact us to learn about organizations with which you can affiliate prior to an event. Pre-affiliation allows organizations best use of your skills. Following a disaster, please be patient if you wish to volunteer. Allow the Volunteer Center to take a little time to identify local community needs and coordinate with the Volunteer Mobilization Center (VMC) order to refer volunteers more effectively. This enables volunteers to complement rather than complicate the efforts of first responders.

Agencies
No immediate need? Register your agency NOW to save valuable time later! Also, consider attending a future Disaster Volunteer Mobilization Center training to familiarize yourself with center operating procedures following a disaster - doing so could make a real difference in your agency's ability to respond quickly and efficiently. Contact Fay Mauro at  410-897-9207.

AA County OEM
The Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) recruits groups of volunteers from communities, businesses, and faith-based organizations to train to assist in their own neighborhoods in the event of an emergency. These volunteers will be equipped by the OEM and trained in preparedness, safety for rescuers, triage, disaster psychology, light search & rescue techniques, CPR, and medical aid. For more information, contact the Office of Emergency Management, Henry L. Hein Building, Suite 102, 7480 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Glen Burnie, MD 21061-3542 or call them at 410-222-0600.

Volunteer Mobilization Center
The Volunteer Center will deploy a Volunteer Mobilization Center (VMC) to coordinate spontaneous and unaffiliated volunteers in the event of an emergency when asked to do so by the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management. VMC Volunteers would set-up and staff the VMC itself. If you are interested in serving in a VMC in Anne Arundel County to provide coordination and referral of volunteers in response to a disaster or emergency, send an email to to get information on registering with the Volunteer Center as a volunteer and to join our mailing list to receive information about upcoming VMC training and periodic exercises that we conduct.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign
In a recent national survey conducted by the Ad Council, 91 percent of Americans agreed that taking some simple steps to prepare could help protect themselves and their families in the event of an emergency. However, only 54 percent had taken at least one of the three steps recommended by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign, including getting an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, and being informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses. Click Here to obtain all kinds of useful information to prepare yourself, your family, or your company for an emergency.

Hurricane Preparedness
The majority of natural disasters in our State of Maryland have historically been  caused by hurricanes.  There are essential steps you and your family can take to prepare for coming storms.  Click Here for hurricane preparedness and safety tips.  Plan ahead!  Contact the Volunteer Center at 410-897-9207 or email    if you are looking for ways to use volunteers before and after a disaster.  Registering your volunteer needs early allows us to refer community members directly to your agency before disaster strikes.  You can train volunteers as needed to help you prepare for and recover after a disaster.   During the recovery periods after tropical storms or hurricanes, many individuals and organizations respond nobly in an effort to help out their fellow citizens.  Hurricane Season comes every year so  register as a volunteer! 

Snow Crew
Become a Snowcrew Yeti!  Some say that Yetis are Abominable Snowmen, but we say they are Heroic Snow People who help elderly and disabled neighbors!  Snowcrew matches volunteers to their needy  neighbors to help shovel snow after winter storms.  Snowcrew is now partnered with the National Weather Service System to provide shareable, real-time weather alerts when inclement weather is heading your way.  If you would like to start your own Snow Crew, or if you need assistance clearing snow where you live, then Click Here to sign up!  Receive weather alerts by setting your location!  Remember, Snowcrew is only for helping those who are disabled, injured or otherwise physically unable to shovel snow!